Shelving system

ABSTRACT

A free-standing shelf system comprises a plurality of shelves having passages through end portions thereof. A plurality of spindles support the shelves in spaced relation, the spindles having fastening elements extendible through the passages for axially interconnecting a pair of spindles with a shelf sandwiched therebetween. Interlocking tongue and groove portions on an opposed shelf surface and spindle end are provided. The tongue and groove portions are laterally adjacent the corresponding spindle fastening element and shelf passage for positively preventing lateral shifting of the shelf with respect to the spindles sandwiching same therebetween. The passage is circumferentially continuous opening through a shelf near the end thereof or alternatively is a circumferentially continuous opening formed at the juncture of two end abutting shelves by opposed, substantially hemicircular opening portions in the abutting shelf end edges. In the latter instance, the tongue and groove interlock prevents the abutting shelf ends from shifting apart laterally.

-1 *1 States Patent [191 [111 3,831,533 Aug. 27, 1974 SHELVING SYSTEM Harlan F. Kellogg, Rockford, Ill. [73] Assignee: Kirsch Company, Sturgis, Mich. [22] Filed: Aug. 21, 1972 [2]] Appl. No.: 282,431

[75] lnventor:

US. Cl 108/64, 108/101, 108/114 Primary ExaminerFrancis K. Zugel Assistant ExaminerDarrell Marquette Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Woodhams, Blanchard and Flynn [57] ABSTRACT A free-standing shelf system comprises a plurality of shelves having passages through end portions thereof. A plurality of spindles support the shelves in spaced relation, the spindles having fastening elements extendible through the passages for axially interconnecting a pair of spindles with a shelf sandwiched therebetween. Interlocking tongue and groove portions on an opposed shelf surface and spindle end are provided. The tongue and groove portions are laterally adjacent the corresponding spindle fastening element and shelf passage for positively preventing lateral shifting of the shelf with respect to the spindles sandwiching same therebetween. The passage is circumferentially continuous opening through a shelf near the end thereof or alternatively is a circumferentially continuous opening formed at the juncture of two end abutting shelves by opposed, substantially hemicircular opening portions in the abutting shelf end edges. In the latter instance, the tongue and groove interlock prevents the abutting shelf ends from shifting apart laterally.

11 Claims. 5 Drawing Figures 1 SHELVING SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a shelving system and more particularly of the type wherein a plurality of shelves are supported in spaced relation by spindles extending substantially vertically therebetween.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Shelving system wherein a plurality of vertically spaced shelves are supported by spindles extending between adjacent shelves have been known for some time. In such systems, it has been common to provide openings through the shelves near the ends thereof and to equip the spindle ends with coacting male and female threaded fastening elements wherein the male element extends through the shelf openings so that adjacent, threadedly engaged spindle ends sandwich the shelf therebetween for rigidly fixing the spindles to the shelf and hence to the remainder of the shelf system. Such shelf systems have frequently utilized wood or wood product shelves and decoratively turned wooden spindles and are frequently marketed as decorative shelving for the home for supporting books or other articles.

In such shelving systems, the basic shelving unit has frequently consisted of a plurality of vertically stacked, elongate rectangular shelves supported by sets of axially interconnected spindles, normally one set at each of the four corners of the stack of shelves. The length of the shelves between supports is necessarily limited by the load carrying capability of the shelves and frequently shelf length will be about two to four feet. To obtain a greater shelving system length, or greater shelf lengths, has raised certain problems to which no completely satisfactory solution has previously been found.

Additional system length has been achieved by merely placing two such shelf units side-by-side. However, such makes no provision for interconnection of the shelf units (so as to assist each other in stability, for example) and, further, doubles the number of spindle sets in the middle of the resulting system, which may be considered unattractive and also is wasteful of spindles and hence unnecessarily expensive.

In an attempt to overcome this problem, prior spindle-type shelf systems have been provided wherein two side-by-side shelf units have shared common central sets of spindles. This at least initially meant, however, that the shelves of the two units had to be staggered vertically with respect to each other, resulting in double the normal vertical shelf spacing. Further, this approach did not produce a planar double length shelf supported intermediate the ends thereof.

To achieve the latter, several approaches have been taken in the past. One was to simply provide a monolithic shelf of substantially double (or triple, etc.) normal length having spindle openings intermediate its ends to provide required intermediate support. However, the necessity for providing shelves of such radically differing lengths raises problems in inventory control as well as in packaging and shipping. Another approach utilized shelf elements of standard single unit length but provided with flange like end projections of substantially half normal shelf thickness to allow opposed ends of adjacent shelf elements to be lapped in a kind of shiplap joint, the spindle fastening means extending through coaxial openings in the lapped flanges. However, the shiplap joint approach has been disadvantageous in that substantial care must be exercised in the manufacture of the overlapping shelf end portions to achieve a smooth interfitting therebetween. In addition, the substantial length of contact along the substantially Z-shaped shiplap joint may be readily and objectionably visible from the front of the shelf unit. Further, shelves of such systems are frequently provided with a decorative veneer or surface finish on the upper side, a less expensive and attractive finish or surfacing being utilized for the underside thereof, so that lapped shelf elements extending rightwardly and leftwardly from such a shiplap joint differ and must be stocked as separate items.

Thus, the objects and purposes of this invention include provision of:

l. A shelf system of the free-standing, knock-down type comprising a plurality of shelves supported in vertically spaced relation by interspersed upstanding spindles, wherein a multiunit shelf system can be provided utilizing a common pair of spindle sets for interconnecting adjacent shelf units and allowing for both spaced interfmgering and substantially coplanar alignment of shelf elements of the adjacent shelf units.

2. A shelf system as aforesaid, in which shelf elements of adjacent shelf units can be arranged in substantially coplanar alignment to form a multisection elongate shelf extending from shelf unit to shelf unit without overlapping the adjacent ends of such shelf elements.

3. A shelf system as aforesaid, in which the sections of such an elongate multisection shelf lie in end abutting relation and use a common set of spindles to interconnect same to shelves located thereabove and therebelow and wherein the interconnection of the abutting section ends to the adjacent spindles prevents lateral displacement of said abutting shelf section ends away from each other and rather holds same in end-to-end abutting relation.

4. A shelf system as aforesaid, in which the end section for such a multisection shelf can be utilized at either end of the multisection shelf without turning same upside down, and in which the number of types of different components in the shelf system is minimized without reducing flexibility of shelf arrangement.

5. A shelf system as aforesaid, in which multisection shelves can be manufactured continuously in indefinite lengths and in which the individual shelf sections may be produced from such an indefinite length by a simple severing operation.

6. A shelving system as aforesaid, in which the means by which the spindles interlock with abutting end portions of shelf segments is provided with little or no addition of cost or mechanical complexity as compared with-existing shelf systems.

7. A shelf system as aforesaid, in which the arrangement for securing together the abutting shelf sections and spindles allows for production of spindles by molding from plastic materials.

Other objects and purposes of this invention will be apparent to persons acquainted with apparatus of this general type upon reading the following specification and inspecting the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, somewhat simplified pictorial view of a three-unit shelf system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, enlarged top view of two sections, including a central section, of an elongate multisection shelf usable in a system according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view substantially taken on the line IIIIII of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, exploded, fragmentary sectional view substantially taken on the line lV-IV of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view substantially taken on the line VV of FIG. 3.

Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. The words up, down, right and left" will designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words in and out will refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the center of the device and designated parts thereof. Such terminology will include derivatives and words of similar import.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The objects and purposes of the invention are met by providing a free-standing shelf system comprising a plu rality of shelves having passages through end portions thereof. A plurality of spindles support the shelves in spaced relation, the spindles having fastening elements extendible through the passages for axially interconnecting a pair of spindles with a shelf sandwiched therebetween. Interlocking tongue and groove portions on an opposed shelf surface and spindle end are provided. The tongue and groove portions are laterally adjacent the corresponding spindle fastening element and shelf passage for positively preventing lateral shifting of the shelf with respect to the spindles sandwiching same therebetween. The passage is a circumferentially continuous opening through a shelf near theend thereof or alternatively is a circumferentially continuous opening formed at the juncture of two end abutting shelves by opposed, substantially hemicircular opening portions in the abutting shelf end edges. In the latter instance, the tongue and groove interlock prevents the abutting shelf ends from shifting apart laterally.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 discloses in a somewhat simplified form, a portion of a shelf system incorporating the present invention. The shelf system 10 comprises a plurality, here three, of interconnected shelf units, more particularly a central shelf unit 12 flanked by rightward and leftward end shelf units 13 and 14. It will be understood, however, that shelving systems in accordance with the present invention can encompass differing numbers of interconnecting units or a single unit.

In general, each of the units 12 through 14 comprises a plurality of vertically spaced shelf elements 16 supported and interconnected by substantially vertical, intervening spindles 20. More particularly, each shelf element 16 engages 'a pair of spindles 20 adjacent each end thereof, the spindles of each pair being spaced from each other along the end edges of the shelf element so that in effect each shelf element contacts at least one spindle adjacent each of the four corners thereof. In the multiunit shelf system 10 of FIG. 1, wherein the shelf units are interconnected in side-byside relation, the same pair 21 of sets of spindles 20 is utilized to support the adjacent ends of the shelf elements of two adjacent units.

The spindles 20 vertically interposed between shelves are all preferably identical. However, shorter base spindles 23 are preferably utilized below the lowermost shelf element of each unit to support the unit. In addition, the uppermost shelf element of each unit preferably supports thereon, in vertical alignment with its supporting spindle 20, shorter finial spindles 22. The base spindles and finial spindles may be of any desired configuration but their upper and lower ends respectively are configured like the upper and lower ends, respectively, of the intermediate spindles 20 so as to coact with the adjacent shelf and adjacent spindle 20 in the manner hereinafter described with respect to interconnected spindles 20.

In certain instances, as shown for example at the leftward end of the end shelf unit 13, it may be desired to omit a shelf between vertically adjacent sets of spindles. In such case, suitable spacers 26 are preferably provided vertically between the axially aligned spindles 20 whereat the shelf is omitted. The provision of such spacers 26 thus insures that higher shelves in the shelf unit will be level. The spacers 26 are preferably annular, corresponding in general configuration and thickness to a portion of the shelf or shelf section 16, hereinafter described, contacted by spindles 20, but wherein the periphery of the spacer 26 generally corresponds in diameter to the adjacent spindles 20.

Each of the spindles 20 (FIG. 3) preferably comprises an elongate molded plastic body 28 provided at its ends with coaxial fastening elements 29 and 30 and corresponding radial end walls 33 and 34, respectively. In the preferred embodiment shown, the fastening elements 29 and 30 are respectively threaded male and female portions of the body 28. The male fastening element 29 extends coaxially beyond the corresponding end wall 33 and is externally threaded. The female fastening element 30 is defined by an internally threaded coaxial opening through the end wall 34 arranged for threaded reception of the male fastening element 29 of another spindle. The spindle 20 is preferably hollow having a central opening 36 therethrough which tapers from the threaded female fastening portion 30 toward and through the male fastening element 29. The external peripheral wall 38 of the spindle body 28 may be provided with decorative contouring of any desired kind for example to emulate a turned wooden spindle. In addition, any desired surface finish, for example to imitate a wood grain, may be provided on the peripheral wall 38.

The shelf elements 16 may be of any convenient construction, for example, of solid lumber or of laminated construction. In the preferred embodiment shown, surface skins 39 (FIG. 3) of a convenient material such as hardboard or the like, sandwich therebetween a lumber perimeter frame 40 and if desired intermediate transverse members, not shown. In addition, trim moldings 44 or the like may be provided around the exposed perimeter of each shelf element if desired and the upper and lower faces of the shelves may be finished for any desired effect.

Shelves of several different kinds are included in the shelf system 10 (FIG. 1). More particularly, a single section, or full, shelf 16A extends substantially the width of one shelf unit whereas a multisection shelf 168 extends the width of several shelf units, comprising in FIG. 1 three end-to-end abutting and substantially coplanar shelf segments, including a central shelf section MBA and end sections 16BB and 168C. The opposite end sections 16BB and 168C are preferably identical to each other but oppositely oriented, that is, one is rotated in a horizontal plane through 180 away from the orientation of the other. Another multi-section shelf, indicated at 16D for purposes of reference, is a two section shelf comprising end sections like section 1688 or ltSBC. Multisection shelves can comprise as many sections as desired, using central sections 16BA flanked at each shelf end by an end section 16BB (or 16BC). Thus, a multiunit shelf system can be erected utilizing a variety of combinations of full shelves 16A and multisection shelves 168 of various lengths utilizing just three different types of shelf elements, represented by the full shelf 16A, the central shelf section 168A and the end shelf section 1688.

The three different types of shelf elements above discussed, namely shelf elements 16A, 168A and 168B differ from each other in end configuration. Each uses a different combination of two basic end configurations, a free end configuration 41 (FIGS. 2 and 3) and an abutting type end configuration 42 (FIGS. 2 and 4). Both ends of each full shelf 16A and of each multisection shelf 16B of the free end type whereby the outer end of each end section 1688, or l6BC, is of the free end type. On the other hand, both ends of each central shelf section l6BA and the inner, or adjoining, end of each shelf end section 1688, or 16BC, are of the abutting type. Thus, each end shelf section has a free end configuration at one end thereof and an abutting type end configuration at the other end thereof.

Each shelf element end of the free end type 41 has an opening 46 (FIG. 2) therethrough adjacent the shelf end edge 47 and near each of the shelf sides 48 and 49 in coaxial alignment with the spindles extending up wardly and downwardly from such shelf end portion. Each such opening 46 (FIG. 3) is adapted to snugly but slidably receive therethrough the male fastening element 29 of the corresponding spindle. Thus, in the free end configuration 41, the end edge of the shelf is located beyond the plane defined by the axes of the openings 46 and of the associated spindles.

In contrast, the abutting end configuration 42 has an end edge 511 which is preferably coplanar with the plane defined by the axes of spindles coacting therewith. More particularly, the abutting end configuration 42 is provided with partial openings 52 spaced from each other and from the side edges 54 and 55 in correspondence to the openings 46. The partial openings 52 are formed as semicircular notches extending through the thickness of the shelf and opening longitudinally outwardly therefrom. The partial openings 52 are each preferably identical to one half of the opening 46. Thus, when two abutting-type end configurations, for example the adjacent edges of the shelf end section 1638 and shelf central section 163A, are placed in end-to-end substantially coplanar abutting relation, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the partial openings 52 thereof are opposed and open into each other to define a pair of composite openings 57 which are substantially identical to the aforementioned openings 46 and adapted to receive therethrough the male fastening element 29 of an adjacent spindle, as generally indicated in the exploded view in FIG. 4.

Interlocking tongue and groove portions on the opposed faces of the spindles and shelves prevent lateral shifting of the shelves and lateral separation of each pair of abutting shelf segment ends. In the particular embodiment shown, the lower or female end of each spindle carries an axially extended annular boss 61 (FIGS. 3 and 4) coaxial with and radially spaced between the central opening 36 and the periphery 38 of the spindle body 28. The boss 61 is preferably of substantially hemicircular cross-section.

As shown in FIGS. 2 through 4, corresponding annular grooves 62 and 67 are provided in the opposed surface of the various shelves for receiving the bosses 61 of corresponding spindles 20. Each annular groove 62 comprises an opposed pair of half circular, communicating partial grooves 64 and 65 in the corresponding surfaces of the abutting end portions of the adjacent end abutting shelf segments. The annular groove 62 coaxially surrounds and is radially spaced from the composite opening 57 defined between the abutting shelf sections, as indicated in FIG. 2. The corresponding annular grooves 67 coaxially surround corresponding openings 46 in the free ends 411 of the various full shelves and end shelf sections. In the particular embodiment shown, the grooves 62 and 67 are substantially of hemicircular cross-section, corresponding to the cross-section of the annular boss 61 of the opposed spindle end and each is arranged to snugly receive such a boss therewithin. The interengaged boss and groove prevent lateral shifting of the corresponding shelf element with respect to the opposed female spindle end, independently of the occupation of the adjacent shelf opening by the male spindle end extending therethrough. Such boss and groove interengagement also prevents separation of the abutting sections of multisection shelves.

Although the dimensions of the annular grooves 62 and 67 may vary with respect to the dimensions of the spindles and shelves, it has been found that, for example, a groove cross-section radius of 0.070 inch, an overall groove diameter of approximately 1.3 inch and a corresponding diameter for the related opening 52 or 57 of 0.94 inch provides sufficient interlocking to prevent lateral separation or shifting of shelf elements. Thus, a relatively small depth for the annular grooves 62 and 67 will suffice.

OPERATION Components for shelf systems according to the present invention may be compactly packaged for shipment in that the full shelves and shelf segments are all of substantially similar length corresponding to the width of one shelf unit, the center shelf sections 16BA being in the illustrated embodiment somewhat shorter than the full shelves 16A while the shelf end sections 16BB are here of intermediate length. From the relatively compact and readily packaged components disclosed can be assembled multiunit shelf systems of substantial width.

A single unit system is assembled by placement of base spindles 23 on a supporting floor, placement of a full shelf 16A thereover wherein the threaded male fastening elements of the base spindles are received through the openings 46 at the corners of the full shelf to protrude upwardly therethrough. Thereafter the the like are installed to complete the single shelf unit.

A multiunit shelf system may be constructed in substantially the same way, except that a common pair of spindle sets 21 carries the adjacent ends of shelf elements of two adjacent units so as to positively interlock the two shelf units and enhance the stability thereof.

Where no multisection shelves are employed in the multiunit system, full shelves 16A may be used throughout, with the shelves of adjacent units alternating in vertical location to give a vertical shelf spacing of approximately double the-length of the bodies 28 of the associated spindles 20. In such case, spacers 26 are preferably employed between spindle ends not having a shelf therebetween.

On the other hand, where multisection shelves are employed, end shelf sections 1688 (or 168C) and where more than two sections are needed, central shelf sections l6BA, are required. In erecting a multiunit system including such a multisection shelf, the abutting ends 42 of two adjacent shelf sections are butted with the male fastening elements 29 of the supporting spindles extending upwardly through the openings 57 defined by the partial openings 52 in the abutting section ends. Thereafter, the female spindle end is threaded onto the protruding male fastening element 29, the annular boss 61 of the female spindle end engaging the annular groove 62 defined by the partial grooves 64 and 65 in the abutting shelf section ends to positively prevent lateral separation of such shelf segments, thereby to hold such shelf sections in end-to-end abutting relation thereafter.

It will be apparent that utilizing the components above-described, that a multiunit shelf system can be constructed providing any desired combination of multisection shelf lengths, single unit shelf lengths and vertical shelf spacings to provide shelves of varying widths in staggered and/or non-staggered arrangements.

The joints between the abutting ends in multisection shelves are not readily visible since they are aligned with and partially hidden by the spindles associated therewith, the length of such joint being minimized in that it extends only the thickness of the shelf section.

Although it is preferred and has been found most advantageous that the threaded male fastening element of each spindle be located so as to extend upwardly in the shelving system and that the tongue and groove interlocking arrangement be arranged to cause the boss 61 to protrude downwardly from the face of the female spindle end with the corresponding groove being provided in the upper face of the shelf or shelf section, within the broader aspects of the invention reversal of orientation of the spindles, reversal of the location of the boss and groove on the spindle and upper shelf face, and alternative or additional provision of a tongue and groove interlocking arrangement on the lower shelf face and opposed spindle end are contemplated.

Although a particular preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, including the rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the present invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A free standing shelf system, comprising in combination:

a plurality of shelves having passages through end portions thereof;

a plurality of spindles for supporting said shelves in spaced relation, said spindles having fastening elements extendible through said passages for axially interconnecting adjacent pair of spindles with a shelf sandwiched therebetween;

interlocking tongue and groove portions on an opposed shelf surface and spindle end, said tongue and groove portions being laterally adjacent the corresponding spindle fastening element and shelf passage for positively preventing lateral shifting of said shelf with respect to the spindles sandwiching same therebetween;

at least one of said shelves comprising a pair of substantially coplanar end abutting shelf segments, said passages of such shelf segments including substantially hemicircular opening portions which extend through said shelf segments at the abutting ends thereof and which open endwise of the abutting ends of said shelf segments in opposed diametrically aligned relation with each other for defining circumferentially closed openings when said shelf segments are in aligned end abutting relation with each other and for receiving therethrough the fastening element of one of said sandwiching spindles, the tongue and groove portions of one of said sandwiching spindles and of said shelf segment at said opening coacting when the fastening elements of the adjacent spindles are interengaged, so as to interlock said abutting shelf segments against lateral shifting away from each other.

2. A free standing shelf system, comprising in combination:

a plurality of shelves having passages through end portions thereof;

a plurality of spindles for supporting said shelves in spaced relation, said spindles having fastening elements extendible through said passages for axially interconnecting adjacent pair of spindles with a shelf sandwiched therebetween;

interlocking tongue and groove portions on an opposed shelf surface and spindle end, said tongue and groove portions being laterally adjacent the corresponding spindle fastening element and shelf passage for positively preventing lateral shifting of said shelf with respect to the spindles sandwiching same therebetween;

at least some of said shelves having free end portions and at least some of said shelves comprising plural segments having abutting type end portions, each abutting end portion being adapted to end abut another abutting type end portion of another shelf segment arranged in substantially coplanar relation therewith, said passages of said free end portions being longitudinally spaced from the corresponding end edge of the corresponding shelf and comprising circumferentially continuous first openings through said shelf adapted to receive fastening elements of axially opposed spindles therethrough, said axially opposed spindles extending in opposite directions from said shelf in sandwiching relation therewith and adjacent said end edge of said shelf, the passages of said abutting type end portions being circumferentially discontinuous and defining partial openings which open laterally through the end edges of said abutting type end portions, the partial openings of abutting type end portions which are disposed in aligned end abutting relationship being opposed and defining circumferentially continuous second openings, the fastening elements of said spindles comprising an internally threaded opening at one end of each said spindle and an axially extended externally threaded male fastening element at the other end of each said spindle, said male fastening element being snugly receivable through one of said shelf openings for threadedly engaging the threaded opening at the end of an opposed further spindle for forcibly engaging the shelf portions adjacent said opening therebetween, said tongue comprising an annular boss on one of the opposed spindle ends and said groove comprising an annular groove in the shelf surface opposed to said one spindle end and adapted to snugly receive said annular boss therewithin, each of said abutting type end portions having a part of said annular groove therein adjacent a corresponding partial opening for defining a circumferentially complete groove when two said abutting type end portions are in end abutting relation whereby engagement of said boss on said spindle with said groove portions of said abutting type end portions prevents lateral separation of the latter.

3. A free standing shelf system comprising in combination:

a plurality of shelves having passages axially through end portions thereof, the passages in opposed ends of a longitudinally aligned pair of shelves opening endwise of said shelves and defining a radially closed passage upon end abutment of said aligned shelves; plurality of spindles each having a pairof opposite ends and a corresponding pair of complementary fastening elements at and extending coaxially of said ends, said ends defining radial end faces extending radially outwardly from the corresponding fastening element to .the periphery of the spindle, adjacent complementary fastening elements of aligned upper and lower spindles being interengagable through the closed passage defined by end abutting shelves, the top and bottom lateral faces of said end abutting shelves being snugly sandwiched by the opposed radial end faces of said upper and lower spindles, respectively, for vertically supporting said end abutting shelves; an annular and axially outwardly extending boss defining aconcentric tongue on one spindle radial end face, said boss being radially spaced from at least one of said fastening element and spindle periphery, leaving exposed at least one radially extending annular portion of said radial end face in bearing contact with the opposed lateral shelf face,

and a pair of end opening grooves in ones of said lateral shelf faces, said grooves being concentric with said radially open passages and defining a closed annular groove around said closed passage with said shelves in said end abutting relation, said annular groove being of cross-section substantially complementary to said boss and snugly laterally receiving the latter and preventing relative lateral shifting of said end abutting shelves.

4. The shelf system of claim 3, in which said spindle fastening elements comprise a threaded male element at one end of each said spindle and a threaded opening at the other end of each said spindle, said annular boss 7 extending only from said other end, in coaxially spaced and surrounding relation with said threaded opening.

5. The shelf system of claim 3, in which said spindle has a tapered opening extending coaxially therethrough, said tapered opening being internally threaded at one end of said spindle to define a female fastening element, a coaxial and threaded male fastening element extending from the other end of said spindle, the smallest diameter portion of said tapered opening extending through said male fastening element, said boss being coaxial with and spaced radially outward of said internally threaded end of said opening.

6. The shelf system of claim 3, in which said annular boss is of substantially hemici'rcular cross section, the opposed groove in the lateral face of said shelf being of cross-section substantially corresponding to said boss and sized to snugly laterally receive said boss, said groove surrounding and being radially spaced from said passage. r

7. The shelf system of claim 3 in which said boss is radially spaced from both said fastening element and said spindle periphery, leaving exposed radially spaced, concentric inner and outer radially extending portions of said radial end face for axially supporting contact with said lateral shelf face.

. 8.-The shelf system of claim 7 in which the other radial end face of said spindle and the other lateral surface of said shelf are planar.

9. The shelf system of claim 8 in which a male fastening element extends from said planar other end face of each spindle, and said planar other shelf face is the bottom face of the shelf, and a female fastening element is provided on the tongued end of each spindle and the grooved face of each shelf is the upper face thereof.

10. The shelf system of claim'3 in which fastening elements of the opposed ends of said upper andlower spindles are threadedly engagable upon relative rotation of'said upper and lower spindles, said passages and grooves being spaced inboard from the longitudinal edges of said shelves, said closed passages, boss and annular groove being circular for permitting such relative spindle rotation.

11. The shelf system of claim 4, in which said threaded opening is formed centrally and integrally in said other spindle 'end and is opposed to the corresponding annular groove in the adjacent shelves, said threaded male element being formed centrally and integrally on said one end of said spindle for insertion through the radially closed passage :in adjacent shelves and into threaded engagement with the other end of an other spindle. 

1. A free standing shelf system, comprising in combination: a plurality of shelves having passages through end portions thereof; a plurality of spindles for supporting said shelves in spaced relation, said spindles having fastening elements extendible through said passages for axially interconnecting adjacent pair of spindles with a shelf sandwiched therebetween; interlocking tongue and groove portions on an opposed shelf surface and spindle end, said tongue and groove portions being laterally adjacent the corresponding spindle fastening element and shelf passage for positively preventing lateral shifting of said shelf with respect to the spindles sandwiching same therebetween; at least one of said shelves comprising a pair of substantially coplanar end abutting shelf segments, said passages of such shelf segments including substantially hemicircular opening portions which extend through said shelf segments at the abutting ends thereof and which open endwise of the abutting ends of said shelf segments in opposed diametrically aligned relation with each other for defining circumferentially closed openings when said shelf segments are in aligned end abutting relation with each other and for receiving therethrough the fastening element of one of said sandwiching spindles, the tongue and groove portions of one of said sandwiching spindles and of said shelf segment at said opening coacting when the fastening elements of the adjacent spindles are interengaged, so as to interlock said abutting shelf segments against lateral shifting away from each other.
 2. A free standing shelf system, comprising in combination: a plurality of shelves having passages through end portions thereof; a plurality of spindles for supporting said shelves in spaced relation, said spindles having fastening elements extendible through said passages for axially interconnecting adjacent pair of spindles with a shelf sandwiched therebetween; interlocking tongue and groove portions on an opposed shelf surface and spindle end, said tongue and groove portions being laterally adjacent the corresponding spindle fastening element and shelf passage for positively preventing lateral shifting of said shelf with respect to the spindles sandwiching same therebetween; at Least some of said shelves having free end portions and at least some of said shelves comprising plural segments having abutting type end portions, each abutting end portion being adapted to end abut another abutting type end portion of another shelf segment arranged in substantially coplanar relation therewith, said passages of said free end portions being longitudinally spaced from the corresponding end edge of the corresponding shelf and comprising circumferentially continuous first openings through said shelf adapted to receive fastening elements of axially opposed spindles therethrough, said axially opposed spindles extending in opposite directions from said shelf in sandwiching relation therewith and adjacent said end edge of said shelf, the passages of said abutting type end portions being circumferentially discontinuous and defining partial openings which open laterally through the end edges of said abutting type end portions, the partial openings of abutting type end portions which are disposed in aligned end abutting relationship being opposed and defining circumferentially continuous second openings, the fastening elements of said spindles comprising an internally threaded opening at one end of each said spindle and an axially extended externally threaded male fastening element at the other end of each said spindle, said male fastening element being snugly receivable through one of said shelf openings for threadedly engaging the threaded opening at the end of an opposed further spindle for forcibly engaging the shelf portions adjacent said opening therebetween, said tongue comprising an annular boss on one of the opposed spindle ends and said groove comprising an annular groove in the shelf surface opposed to said one spindle end and adapted to snugly receive said annular boss therewithin, each of said abutting type end portions having a part of said annular groove therein adjacent a corresponding partial opening for defining a circumferentially complete groove when two said abutting type end portions are in end abutting relation whereby engagement of said boss on said spindle with said groove portions of said abutting type end portions prevents lateral separation of the latter.
 3. A free standing shelf system comprising in combination: a plurality of shelves having passages axially through end portions thereof, the passages in opposed ends of a longitudinally aligned pair of shelves opening endwise of said shelves and defining a radially closed passage upon end abutment of said aligned shelves; a plurality of spindles each having a pair of opposite ends and a corresponding pair of complementary fastening elements at and extending coaxially of said ends, said ends defining radial end faces extending radially outwardly from the corresponding fastening element to the periphery of the spindle, adjacent complementary fastening elements of aligned upper and lower spindles being interengagable through the closed passage defined by end abutting shelves, the top and bottom lateral faces of said end abutting shelves being snugly sandwiched by the opposed radial end faces of said upper and lower spindles, respectively, for vertically supporting said end abutting shelves; an annular and axially outwardly extending boss defining a concentric tongue on one spindle radial end face, said boss being radially spaced from at least one of said fastening element and spindle periphery, leaving exposed at least one radially extending annular portion of said radial end face in bearing contact with the opposed lateral shelf face, and a pair of end opening grooves in ones of said lateral shelf faces, said grooves being concentric with said radially open passages and defining a closed annular groove around said closed passage with said shelves in said end abutting relation, said annular groove being of cross-section substantially complementary to said boss and snugly laterally receiving the latter and preventing relative lateral shifting of said end abutting shelves.
 4. The shelf system of claim 3, in which said spindle fastening elements comprise a threaded male element at one end of each said spindle and a threaded opening at the other end of each said spindle, said annular boss extending only from said other end, in coaxially spaced and surrounding relation with said threaded opening.
 5. The shelf system of claim 3, in which said spindle has a tapered opening extending coaxially therethrough, said tapered opening being internally threaded at one end of said spindle to define a female fastening element, a coaxial and threaded male fastening element extending from the other end of said spindle, the smallest diameter portion of said tapered opening extending through said male fastening element, said boss being coaxial with and spaced radially outward of said internally threaded end of said opening.
 6. The shelf system of claim 3, in which said annular boss is of substantially hemicircular cross section, the opposed groove in the lateral face of said shelf being of cross-section substantially corresponding to said boss and sized to snugly laterally receive said boss, said groove surrounding and being radially spaced from said passage.
 7. The shelf system of claim 3 in which said boss is radially spaced from both said fastening element and said spindle periphery, leaving exposed radially spaced, concentric inner and outer radially extending portions of said radial end face for axially supporting contact with said lateral shelf face.
 8. The shelf system of claim 7 in which the other radial end face of said spindle and the other lateral surface of said shelf are planar.
 9. The shelf system of claim 8 in which a male fastening element extends from said planar other end face of each spindle, and said planar other shelf face is the bottom face of the shelf, and a female fastening element is provided on the tongued end of each spindle and the grooved face of each shelf is the upper face thereof.
 10. The shelf system of claim 3 in which fastening elements of the opposed ends of said upper and lower spindles are threadedly engagable upon relative rotation of said upper and lower spindles, said passages and grooves being spaced inboard from the longitudinal edges of said shelves, said closed passages, boss and annular groove being circular for permitting such relative spindle rotation.
 11. The shelf system of claim 4, in which said threaded opening is formed centrally and integrally in said other spindle end and is opposed to the corresponding annular groove in the adjacent shelves, said threaded male element being formed centrally and integrally on said one end of said spindle for insertion through the radially closed passage in adjacent shelves and into threaded engagement with the other end of another spindle. 